1Let as many #Eph. 6:5Titus 2:91 Pet. 2:18bondservants as are under the yoke count their own masters worthy of all honor, so that the name of God and His doctrine may not be blasphemed. 2And those who have believing masters, let them not despise them because they are brethren, but rather serve them because those who are benefited are believers and beloved. Teach and exhort these things.

Error and Greed

3If anyone teaches otherwise and does not consent to #2 Tim. 1:13wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, #Titus 1:1and to the doctrine which accords with godliness, 4he is proud, knowing nothing, but is obsessed with disputes and arguments over words, from which come envy, strife, reviling, evil suspicions, 5useless wranglings of men of corrupt minds and destitute of the truth, who suppose that godliness is a meansof gain. From #2 Tim. 3:5such withdraw yourself.

6Now godliness with #Phil. 4:11Heb. 13:5contentment is great gain. 7For we brought nothing into this world, and it is #Job 1:21Ps. 49:17Eccl. 5:15certain we can carry nothing out. 8And having food and clothing, with these we shall be #Prov. 30:89content. 9But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and harmful lusts which drown men in destruction and perdition. 10For the love of money is a root of all kindsof evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.

The Good Confession

11But you, O man of God, flee these things and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, gentleness. 12Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, to which you were also called and have confessed the good confession in the presence of many witnesses. 13I urge you in the sight of God who gives life to all things, and before Christ Jesus #Matt. 27:2John 18:3637who witnessed the good confession before Pontius Pilate, 14that you keep this commandment without spot, blameless until our Lord Jesus Christ’s appearing, 15which He will manifest in His own time, Hewhois the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings and Lord of lords, 16who alone has immortality, dwelling in #Dan. 2:22unapproachable light, #John 6:46whom no man has seen or can see, to whom be honor and everlasting power. Amen.

Instructions to the Rich

17Command those who are rich in this present age not to be haughty, nor to trust in uncertain #Jer. 9:23Jer 48:7riches but in the living God, who gives us richly all things #Eccl. 5:1819to enjoy. 18Letthem do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to give, willing to share, 19#(Matt. 6:20|NoBook| 19:21)storing up for themselves a good foundation for the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.

Guard the Faith

20O Timothy! #(2 Tim. 1:12Guard what was committed to your trust, #Titus 1:14avoiding the profane and idle babblings and contradictions of what is falsely called knowledge— 21by professing it some have strayed concerning the faith.